South Florida Crime

PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) – Multiple law enforcement agencies were set to announce the arrest of a suspect they believed is responsible for multiple bank robberies in South Florida and other states.

The fashion conscious robber wore a polo shirt in most of the heists he’s accused of pulling off. He also utilized disguises including a dark wig.

“Upon takedown, it was obvious that the suspect was ready for an armed encounter,” said Capt. Sean Hemingway of Pembroke Pines Police.

Pembroke Pines Police, along with Miramar Police and the FBI, were all assisting in the arrest of the suspect who hasn’t been named by police as of noon Tuesday.

Police believe the suspect is responsible for at least four bank robberies in South Florida. The latest two robberies happened Tuesday morning.

Law enforcement said the robber allegedly struck a Wells Fargo in Pembroke Pines at 124th and Pines Boulevard as well as a Chase Bank on Pembroke Road in Miramar.

“He exited very rapidly with a bag rolled up in his hand,” said Capt. Hemingway. “He was able to get in the car and exit the parking lot. We took him down rapidly.”

Hemingway said when officers took the suspect down, he had on a bulletproof vest.

“As the officers gave him verbal commands to get on the ground it was determined for sure that he had a vest on and it was determined that he had a loaded gun in his waist band,” Hemingway said.

The other two bank robberies connected to the suspects happened at a Bank Atlantic on Hiatus Road and Pines Boulevard on August 29 and at a Chase Bank at 149th and Pines Boulevard on September 4.

Investigators said one thing that set the suspect apart from others was that he had bad handwriting and grammar.

“He basically walked up to the teller and instead of handing a hand-written note; he displayed his cell phone saying it was a bank robbery to hand over the money,” said Capt. Larry Diaco of Pembroke Pines Police.